MONEY
Some Black Folks Hide Cash Because They’re Used to Being Short-Changed
Financial habits are influenced by America’s legacy of racism
Rather than deposit all of their money in the bank, some Black folks prefer keeping some cash on hand. If you think that someone stuffing cash in their mattress or a private safe is suspicious behavior, it’s likely you’ve never considered how racism impacts financial decisions. This topic arose during the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump and “his allies.” The Fulton Country District Attorney and lead prosecutor, Fanni Willis, a Black woman, found herself in a political hot seat this week when defense attorneys questioned her about a romantic relationship with Nathan Wade, a special prosecutor hired to work on the case. They also questioned her practice of storing some cash at home.
Their questioning was personally intrusive. Rather than defend their client, they tried to smear Fanni Wilis to portray her behavior as unethical. Heaven forbid a Black woman have a romantic relationship off the clock or store some cash in her home, their pearl-clutching suggested. The interview was so uncomfortable and, at times, hostile that Fanni felt they were treating her as if she were on trial instead of the former president. Their strategy was to distract…
